St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-29
A SWEET SINGER.
How She Won the Heart of an
ltaIiDn rinCn.

HL6A1an TlnCc.
Ny young friend, the Prince de N, had
asked me to accompany him to the Fran
| caise to hear young English artist OF
whom great things had been promised
This Italian was handsome fellow, with
| the face and form of an Apollo, fascinating
| beyond description, debonair and gay:
| alas! too gay. for his pleasures were often
obtained at heavy cost and total disre-
gard of consequences.
An hour later we were in our accustomed
| place at the theater. 1t was the opera of
La Somnambula." Amina was the role
chosen by the young debutante, who came
on the stage nervously, very white and
| tremulOuS.
The sweet cameo-lke face was quite
guiltleSs of what is known in stage parlance
as makeup" The youthful, almost child
| ish figure was clothed in an inartstic man
ner. the tout ensemble suggesting nothing
whatever of the actress, but great deal of
what was lovable, pure and womany. -
The vast concourSe held their breath ex-
pectantly when she commenced to sing.
Weak and tremulous came the notes at first;
the mouth. like Cupid's bow, twitched a
little. then the wavering words grew strong
and clear, soaring upward as if the music
bore them OH its wings. sowing the air as it
assembled with wondrous melody.
The paid, lily-like face was transformed
now; life. light and beauty shone from it.
The cheeks became radiant with color; the
large lustrous eyes seemed to emit light
from their lovely. dark depths. She sang
as if her very soul went out in her song
The frail figure swayed in the ecstacy of
her emotion. To me she seemed like god
deSs of music, ready to immediate herself
upon the altar of her god.
''Dios!" murmured the prince, of whose
presence had become obliviouS, and who,
have no doubt, had forgotten my exist
ence.
What voicef' replied, turning and
looking at him.
Without seeming to hear me he whispered
to himself again:
What a facew
His expression at this juncture was one
of entranced admiration, mixed with a
gloating gaze which was not good to look
upon.
Again I turned my eyes toward the
prince. Heavens, what a changed I
scarcely recognized my friend of fifteen
years. Amusement was so stamped upon
my face that he could not help noticing it,
and his glance for a moment rested uneas-
lily upon me-
His face was drawn and haggard, great
drops of perspiration stood like beads upon
his forehead, a distant, wandering look
came into his eyes. and his thoughts seemed
to be far away, for | spoke to him and he
never needed me.
| felt alarmed and shook him by the arm.
He seemed to drag himself from some pain
full path of thought by an effort, and putting
his hand over his eyes with gesture of
utter WEAKNESS, begged me to accompany
him home.
Host sight of him for several days. At
last he sought me, his handsome yonng
face scanned with traces of infinite pain.
Pierre, 1 am going to see the English
miss to-day; will you come with me?"
| was glad to go, and promised.
We called at Miss RS hotel sent up our
cards, and soon found ourselves confronted
by the impreSario, Snave and smiling little
Frenchman. who declared himself heart
broken because he could not induce the
English miss to be honored with an inter-
view with us. In words which were honeyed
over he vaguely intiruated that slanderous
Gus. names to deeds which he would be
monster to credit.
But alasI you know, messieurs, how
easily woman believes it,
The prince was terribly disappointed. !
had fellow-feeling for him, and we both
felt very humble"
We consoled ourselves by watching her in
the park and bouievards. The prince was
never absent from his post of observation.
/, too, worshiped at a little distance. The
prince was getting very much depressed,
and after making the most extraordinary
efforts, fell into despair.
AT length he rushed into my room one
day, his eyes flashing with unusual bril-
liancy. his whole face flushed with excite
ment.
Il have it at last! On, my good friend.
you will help me-you can help me-" he
exclaimed.
grasped him-he was as weak as child
and made him sit down.
He looked up beseechingly at me.
Il can sing, Pierre. 1 used to sing well.
can do SO still. They want a tenor. i
will present myself. 1 will disguise my
self. They will never know me. PRAY do
not stop me-"
promised to help him. He had beau
tiful voice. He made his application, and
was accepted.
He Travelled and sang with Miss r. for
two years, winning fame as q tenor. In
letter to me he said:
This woman has taught me how to live,